Envelop and stamp moistener.



No. 655,09I. Patented luly 3|, I900.

w. H. KNAUBER.

ENVEL'OP AND STAMP MOISTENER.

(Application filed Dec. 17, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT- F-FICE.

WALTER H. KNAUBER, OF MILWAUKEE, WVISCONSINJ' ENVELOP AND STAMP MOISTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 5,091, dated July 31, 1900. Application filed December 17, 1897. Serial No. 662,309. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, WALTER H. KNAUBER, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Envelop and Stamp Moistener, of which the following is a speci-' fication.

This invention relates to improvements in envelop and stamp moisteners; and the object thereof is to provide a simple and cheap device which may be rapidly and conveniently manipulated to moisten the envelop or stamp and which may also be used to contain mucilage and distribute the same as desired for use.

With the above object in View the invention consists of areservoir adapted to contain water when the device is used as a stamp-moistener and mucilage when used as amucilage-receptacle; an outlet-tube'carried by said reservoir and having a perforated end; a pad or sponge secured at the outer end of the outlet-tube and adapted to receive water or mucilage therefrom; a collar for holding said sponge, said collar being screwed to the end of the outlettube; a cap for incasing the sponge when the device is not in use, and a keeper to receive the finger of the operator, said keeper consisting of parallel arms secured at one end to the reservoir and at their opposite ends connected by a ring and also connected intermediate their ends by a ring in which the finger is adapted to be positioned.

The invention further consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the claim.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention most nearly appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, having reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in" which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention in operation. Fig. 2 is a similar view of my improved moistener. Fig.3 isa vertical longitudinal sectional view showing the cap in position; Fig. 4: is a detail perspective view showing the reservoir and the outlet-tube with the moistening pad or sponge removed, and Fig. 5 is an end View of the collar for retaining the sponge in position.

' Like letters of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the various figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

A indicates the reservoir, which is spherical sponge being secured at its inner end in a collar I by means of inwardly extending prongs or teeth I. The collar is screw-threaded and engages the forward screw-threaded reduced portion J of the outlet-tube, a space being provided between the sponge and the perforated end of said tube, so that the water may pass from the reservoir through the perforated outlet-tube and into said space to be absorbed by the sponge. Secured at one end to the exterior of the reservoir,'"on the opposite side thereof from the outlet-tube, are the arms K, which diverge slightly at their opposite ends, where they are connected by the ring L, a similar ring M connecting said arms intermediate their ends.

By locating the arms or holders diametricallyopposite the outlet-tube when the finger is inserted in the holder the tip of the outlet will be slightly inclined to the surface of the paper to be moistened and the sponge can be rubbed upon the surface by simply moving the finger back and forth in the desired direction. As the holder and sponge are each substantially cylindrical, the attachment can be applied to the finger and used either side up, thereby rendering it very convenient.

In operation the reservoir is filled with water, the cap removed, and the forefingerof the user inserted through the rings with the tip thereof engaging the reservoir, when the sponge or moistening-pad may be drawn across the stamps or envelops, the operation being quickly performed. It will be'readily understood that instead of water mucilage ICO might be placed within the reservoir and the device used as a m-ucilage holder and also that instead of the arms connected by the rings a tapered tube might be provided .to receive the finger of the user.

From the above description it will be seen that I have produced a very simple device for moistening stamps and envelops, the same being quickly and readily manipulated.

While I have illustrated and described the best means now known to me for carrying out my invention, I do not wish to be understood as restricting myself to the exact details of construction shown and described, but hold that any slight changes or variations. such as might suggest themselves tothe ordinary mechanic, will'properly fall Within the limit and scope of my invention. I

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

In an envelop' and stamp moistener, the combination, with a reservoir provided with a filling-orifice, a cylindrical projection and a holder, the holder and the projection extending in opposite directions from the reservoir and the projection being of two diameters and exteriorly screw-threaded and provided at its outer end with a perforated diaphragm, of an 'internally-screW-threaded collar on the smaller diameter of the projection,

' the outer end of which is provided with means for retaining a sponge, a sponge therein, and

an .internallyscrew-threaded cap over the sponge and the collar and engaging with the larger diameter of the projection, substantially as described.

WALTER I-I. KNAUBER.

\ Vv'itnesses:

JAcoB KNAUBER, JOHN B. HOEGER. 

